Cable connector



Dec. 2, 1941. A. J. HlxoN CABLE` CONNECTOR as- I/ss `Filed D90. 14, 1939 Patented Dec. 2, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEv l i 2,264,754 1 f CABLE CONNECTOR Y Alfred J Hinton, Braintree, Mass. Application December 14, 1939, Serial No. 309,203

` voiaims. (o1. 173-269) My invention relates to cable connectors, and has among its objects the provision of a device of simple and rugged construction in which the cable cannot be loosened from the connector as a result of twisting strains on the cable, andY in which the possibility of damage to the connector by the operator is reduced to a minimum.

The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in the light of the accompanying drawing of an embodiment' of the invention, the scope of which latter will be` more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing- Fig. 1 is a plan of a connector according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation according to Fig. x1;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line' 3--3 of Fig. 2, this section line also being placed on Fig. 11 for convenience in following the drawing;

Fig. 4 is a section corresponding to Fig. 3 with the parts moved to a different operative position, and corresponds to a section on the line 4--4 of Fig.14;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, with the inner relatively rotatable member and the cable gripper omitted; Y

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-5 of Fig. 1, with the inner relatively rotatable member Vand the cable gripper omitted, this section line also being placed on Figs. 3 and 5 for convenience in following the drawing;

Fig. 7 is a perspective of the cable gripper;V

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the cable gripper according to Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a perspective of the inner rotary member; Y y

Fig. 10 is an end View of the member according to Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a section, on an enlarged scale, on the line II--II of Fig. 3 showing the device in fully open position;

Figs. 12 and 13 are sections corresponding to Fig. 11 with the parts in different operative positions; and i Fig. 14 is a section on the line I4-I4 of Fig, 4 showing the device in fully closed position.

The device illustrated comprises an outer member I formed at one end with a perforated lug 3 for attachment of the device to a bus-bar or the like. At its opposite end the member l is formed with an enlargement 5 having an outwardly opening socket 1. Rotatably received in this socket is teriorly of the socket with a shoulder I3, and, exteriorly thereof, with a nut portion I5.

After insertion of the head 9 into the socket 1 the edges of the enlargement 5 at the opening of the socket are bent over the' shoulder I3, as indicated at I1, to hold the members I and II in assembled relation. The peripheral walls of this socket form a bearing Asurface for the exterior walls of the head 9 of the member II, the head 9 resting against the bottom wall surface'IS of the socket. Y

As illustrated, the inner end of the head 9 of the member I I is formed with a cylindrical recess or socket 2i eccentric to the axis of relativerctation'of the members I and II. Rotat'ably received in this socket is a cable'gripper 23, theperipheral walls of the socket forming a. bearing for the exterior wallsof the'cable gripper. In the assembled devicev shown one end surface of the cable gripper abuts with the bottomsurface 25 of the socket`2l, While its opposite end surface 21 abuts with the bottom surface I9 of the socket 'I of the member I so as to retain the cable gripper in operative relation to the other parts. 1

As illustrated, the'members I and II are provided with bores 29 aligned with each other`and positioned co-aXially with the 'axis' of relative rotation of said members. The cable gripper is provided with a bore 3i which, as shown, is in alignment with the bores 29 when the members I and II are in their relative position shown by Figs. 3 and 11, and is out of alignment with 'said bores when the members I and II are in their relative position shown by Figs. 4, 12, 13 and 14.

As illustrated, the bottom surface I9 of the socket 1 of the member I is recessed to" provide arcuate recess portions 33 and 35 opening laterally into the bore 29 of that member and separated by a gear tooth like lug 31. As shown, the wall surface 39 of the' portion 33 of this recess opposite the bore 29 is eccentric to saidbore.V The ends of the recesses 33 and 35 opposite the lug 31 terminate in surfaces 4I and 43 respectively. The surfaces 39, 4| and 43 form abutments coacting with the cable gripper in a man-V ner now to be explained.

As'shown, the end of the cable gripper adjacent the bottom of the socket 1 of the member I is provided with a projection entering the recess portion 33 of that member and with a second projection 41 entering the recess portion 35 of the member. These projections 45 and 41 are so spacedthat their adjacent end surfaces 49 contact with opposite sides respectively of the the head 9 of an inner member II formedin- 55" gear tooth like lug 31 when the parts are in the position shown by Figs. 11, 12 and 13. The end surfaces and 53 of these projections contact with the abutment surfaces 4| and 43 respectively when the parts are in the position shown by Fig. 14.

When the parts are in the position shown by Figs. 1 and 11 a cable may be freely inserted through the aligned bores 29 and 3l. The inner member ll may then be turned counter-clockwise relative to the outer member l as viewed in Fig. V11, or the outer member I turned clockwise relative to the inner member l I, to cause the cable gripper to move transversely of these memy bers and place its bore out of alignment with the bores 29, and in this way grip the cable/" This transverse movement of the gripper; when the members l and Il are relatively rotated, is

caused by coaction of the surfaces v'43 of the gripper with the gear tooth like lug 31,.which coaction prevents substantial rotation of the determining the fully open position of the connector. When the parts are in their relative position shown by Fig. 14 the two surfaces 5 l and 53 of the projections 45 and 41 of the cable gripper rest against the surfaces 4i and 4.3 respectively. and 43 act as a stop for determining the fully closed position of the connector,

Ordinarily the relative rotation of the members I and Il is effected by the operator placing a wrench on the nut l5 to turn the member il, f

This frequency has resulted, with devices as hereto fore constructed, in breakage of the stops for determining the limits of movement of the cable gripper. Such breakage is effectively prevented in the device according to the present invention on account of the rugged nature of the stops which are provided in the simple mannerA described.

It will be observed that, when the cable is gripped in any of the positions shown by Figs. 12, 13 and 14, twisting of the cable tending to rotate it will tend to rotate the gripper on its eccentric bearing, and would result in loosening the cable were not means provided for preventing such rotation. In the present construction this rotation is prevented because, in the positions of parts shown by Figs. 12 and 13 for example, the gear tooth like lug 31 is continuously in engageT ment with the two surfaces 49,` of the projections and 41 of the cable gripper. The parts may be so constructed, if desired, that in the position shown by Fig. 13 the surface 53 of vthe cable gripper contacts also with the surface 43. However, when the device is constructed as illustrated, further closure of the device from the position shown by Fig. 13` may be eiected by continued relative rotation of the membersI l and il until the partsl are in the position shown by Fig.

14, in which latter position the surface 53. is in contact with the surface 43. This continued rotation from the position of parts shown by Fig.J 13 to that shown by Fig. 14 takes place with the surface 5| in contact with the surface 4l and rocking on itas a pivot, 'and with theA righthand surface 4,9, asA viewed in these gures, in contact- In this latter way the surfaces 4! strained against separation;

with the gear tooth like lug 31, so as to prevent twisting of the cable from rotating the cable gripper on its eccentric bearing when the gripping action occurs intermediate the positions shown by Figs. 13 and 14.

It will be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, wide deviations may be made from the form of the invention herein described Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

l. ,A cable connector having, in combination, relatively rotatable rst and second parts rea cable gripper mounted on said first part for rotation relative thereto about an axis eccentric to the axis of relative rotation of said parts; said parts having bores for receiving a cable, and said gripper having a through opening so shaped and positioned as to permit free passage therethrough of a cable inserted 'in said bores when said gripper is in one rotative position relative to said rst part, and to grip such cable vwhen in another such rotative position; said gripper and second part having cooperating lug and recess portions forming cooperating abutments for preventing substantial relative rotation between said gripper and second part when the latter and said rst part are relatively rotated and between said gripper and rst part when a gripped cable is twisted in a direction acting to move the.l gripper in'cable releasing direction, and acting as stops for limiting the relative rotation of said first and second parts in each of opposite directions.

2. A cable connector having, in combination, relatively rotatable rst and second parts restrained against separation; a cable gripper mounted on said iirst part for rotation relative thereto about an axis eccentric to the axis of relative rotation ofi'said parts; said parts having bores for receiving a cable, and 'said gripper having a through opening so shaped and positioned as to permit free passage therethrough of a cable inserted in said bores when said gripper is in one rotative position relative to said iirst part, and to grip such cable when in another such rotative position; saidgripper and second part having cooperating means comprising a lug on said second part and a recess in said gripper for receiving said lug for preventing substantial rotation of said gripper relative-to said second part when said parts are relatively rotated; said gripper having a lug and saidsecond parthaving a recess for receiving said lug, which latter recess is so formed as to provide cooperating pairs of abutments for limiting the relative rotationof said parts in each of opposite directions.

3. A cable connector having, in combination, relatively rotatable first and second parts restrained against separation; a cable gripper mounted on said first 'part for rotationlrelative thereto about an axis eccentric to the axis of relative rotation of said parts; said parts having bores for receiving a cable, and said gripper having a through opening so shaped and positioned as topermit free passage therethrough of a cable inserted in said bores when'said gripper is in one 'rotative position relative to. said rst part, and to grip such cable when in another such rotative position; said gripper and Second part having cooperating means comprising a recess in one and a lug on'the other for preventing substantial rotation of said `gripper relative to said second part when said partsfare relativelyl rotated; ksaid second part having a recess other than said iirst mentioned recessV and said gripper having a projecting portion other'than said lug extending into said recess in said second part, which portionl of said gripper is movable relative to the walls of said recess in said second part and cooperates with said walls to cause the latter to act as stops for limiting the relative rotation of said parts in at least one direction.

4. A cable connector having, in combination, relatively rotatable rst and second parts restrained against separation; a cable gripper mounted on said first part for rotation relative thereto about an axis eccentric to the axis of relative rotation of said parts; said parts having bores for receiving a cable, and said gripper having a through opening so shaped and positioned as to permit free passage therethrough of a cable inserted in said bores when said gripper is in one rotative position relative to said rst part, and to grip such cable when in another such rotative position; said gripper and second part having cooperating means comprising a recess in one and a lug on the other for preventing substantial rotation of said gripper relative to said second part when said parts are relatively rotated; said second part having a recess other than said rst mentioned recess and said gripper having a projecting portion other than said lug extending into said recess in said second part, which portion of said gripper is movable relative to the walls of said recess in said second part and cooperates with said walls to cause the latter to act as stops for limiting the relative rotation of said parts in each of opposite directions.

5. A cable connector having, in combination, relatively rotatable first and second parts restrained against separation; a cable gripper mounted on said first part for rotation relative thereto about an axis eccentric to the axis of relative rotation of said parts; said parts having bores for receiving a cable, and said gripper having a through opening so shaped and positioned as to permit free passage therethrough of a cable inserted in said bores when said gripper is in one rotative position relative to said rst part, and to grip such cable when in another such rotative position; a recess and a lug received thereby, of which one is formed on said gripper and the other on said second part, for preventing substantial relative rotation of said gripper relative to that part when the latter and said iirst part are relatively rotated, and for preventing twisting of a gripped cable from substantially rotating said gripper relative to said iirst part in a direction which would release the cable when the rst part and said second part are rotatively stationary relative to each other; said second part being formed with a recess, opening into the bore of said part, for receiving a portion of said gripper, said portion of said gripper engaging the wall of said recess opposite said bore when said rst and second parts are in one relative rotative position, whereby to provide a stop for limiting such relative rotation in one direction.

6. A cable connector having, in combination, relatively rotatable rst and second parts restrained against separation; a cable gripper mounted on said rst part for rotation relative thereto about an axis eccentric to the axis of relative rotation of said parts; said parts having bores for receiving a cable, and said gripper having a through opening so shaped and positioned as to permit free passage therethrough of a cable inserted in said bores when said gripper is in one rotative'position relative to said rst part, and to grip such cable when in another such Trotativeposition; a recess and a lug received thereby, of which one is formed on said gripper and the other on said second part, for preventing substantial relative rotation of said gripper relative to. that part when the latter and said first part are relatively rotated, and for preventing twisting of a gripped cable from substantially rotating said gripper relative to said irst part in a direction which would release the cable when the first part and said second part are rotatively stationary relative to each other; said second part being formed with a recess, opening into the bore of said part, for receiving a portion of said gripper, said portion of said gripper engaging the wall of said recess opposite said bore when said rst and lsecond parts are in one relative rotative position, whereby to provide a stop for limiting such relative rotation in one direction; the last mentioned recess providing a pair of abutment surfaces spaced angularly of said second part, said portion of said gripper which extends into said recess being formed with a pair of abutment surfaces spaced angularly of said gripper for contacting with the first abutment surfaces when said first and second parts are in another relative rotative position, whereby to provide a stop for limiting such relative rotation in the opposite direction.

'7. A cable connector having, in combination, an outer part formed with a socket the peripheral wall of which provides an interior bearing surface, an inner part mounted on said bearing surface for rotation relative to said outer part, said parts being restrained against axial separation and being provided with substantially aligned cable receiving bores, said inner part being provided with a socket surrounded by said bearing surface and opening toward the bottom of said socket of said outer part, the peripheral wall of the socket of said inner part forming an interior cylindrical bearing eccentric to the axis of relative rotation of said parts, a cable gripper received in said socket of lsaid inner part and retained therein by coaction with the bottom of the socket of said outer part, which cable gripper has an exterior cylindrical surface cooperating with the interior cylindrical bearing of said inner part to provide for relative rotation of said cable gripper and inner part, said cable gripper having a through perforation extending in the direction of the axis of relative rotation of said parts but being eccentric to said axis to substantially the same degree as said bearing of said inner part is eccentric to said axis, the bottom of said socket of said outer part having a pair of spaced arcuate recesses opening laterally thereof into the cable receiving bore of said part, the material between the adjacent ends of said recesses forming a gear tooth like part projecting inwardly from the outer walls of said recesses toward the axis of relative rotation of said parts and the ends of each recess opposite said gear tooth like part providing abutment surfaces extending in the direction of said axis, said cable gripper having, on its end facing the bottom of said socket of said outer part, a pair of spaced arcuate projections respectively received by said recesses of said outer part, the adjacent ends of said projections cooperating with opposite sides of said gear tooth like part to prevent material rotation of said gripper relative to said outer part when said parts are relatively rotated, and to prevent a gripper cable bores of said parts, and, when the perforation of said `gripper' is farthest out or alignment with said bores, theremote ends of said arcuate projections of said gripper contacting with said abutment surfaces formed by said arcuate recesses.

ALFRED J. HIXON.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2, 26l;,'?5b.. December 2, 19ML ALFRED J. HIXON. A

It is hereby certified that error appears in the .printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, seeond column, line 75, claim Y, for "gripper" read gripped; 'and that the said Letters Patent should be read` with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of January, A. D. l9lp2.

Henry Van Arsdale,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents 

